'97 Civic EX Questions

Just recently I paid off my '97 EX. I'm pretty new to the customizing my car scheme and I have been viewing these forums and others for the past few weeks and have learned a few things. I'm wondering what steps I should take to improve performance. I don't have the budget for an engine swap, but exhaust and CAI are in my range. My 3rd gear has been scratching ever since I bought it, so I might bring it into a transmission shop pretty soon and get the synchro fixed. I was told that might cost around $70-80, is that true? Any help on a noob wanting to improve the performance of his vehicle would be much appreciated. :)

BTW, the engine is a D16Y8.

getting that synchro replaced is going to cost more than $70-80. The actual parts may cost that much, I have no clue what how much they go for. But you can plan on spending a good $50-60 an hour for the work. If exhaust and CAI are within your range, go for it. I would suggest a Thermal R&D, Apex World Sport or RS*R exhaust. And a AEM CAI. Good Luck with everything.

if you don't want to spend that much money, you could go to ebay and find the same stuff for alot cheaper. thats were i got my intake and exhaust and spent a total of like 170.

hi i think we're in the same boat financially except ill be working with a dx.. here are some things i've been thinking about

1. 65 bucks for a repair manual
2. night class on basic car maintainance...
3. get a d16 engine
4. rebuild d16 to learn
5. swap engine
6. save up for a b16
7. swap engine
8. replace bolt-ons and other components

Just recently I paid off my '97 EX. I'm pretty new to the customizing my car scheme and I have been viewing these forums and others for the past few weeks and have learned a few things. I'm wondering what steps I should take to improve performance. I don't have the budget for an engine swap, but exhaust and CAI are in my range. My 3rd gear has been scratching ever since I bought it, so I might bring it into a transmission shop pretty soon and get the synchro fixed. I was told that might cost around $70-80, is that true? Any help on a noob wanting to improve the performance of his vehicle would be much appreciated. :)

BTW, the engine is a D16Y8.

I also have a 97 EX with a stock D16Y8, and was in your position about a year ago (without the synchro problem). Here's what I came up with for myself:

- Turbo kit that's reliable and CARB legal will be about $3000+ and a lot of work. Nice to get the +45hp, but not worth the price for me now.
- B16 swap... my preferred method, but lots of work and expense (you need B16 tranny too) and lots of headache making sure it's legal. Easily $3000+
- NOS. Forget it. Cheap power, and kill your engine quickly.
- N/A tune: cheaper route. But:

There's not much to be done with a D16Y8. I stuck a AEM V1 CAI and it helps a teeny bit... like 3-5 hp+ at best at the 4.5krpm hump and high end. But I never rev high cuz I don't race.

Did you know that the stock 97 EX header is already a factory 4-2-1? It's just that the inner diameter is like 1 3/4" - 2" or something. A nice DC Sports 4-2-1 would be nice, but not give a whole lot unless you rev high.

Full cat back GReddy SP or Apexi WS are mild performance improvements yet still quiet and still carb legal.

This full I/H/E setup runs like $800-$1000... for like +10 hp... mostly at the top. Not much, IMHO. I'd rather save for the swap. But since the swap takes some much effort, I'd rather save for a new car.

Doesn't sound like you're racing, so by "performance" I think you mean all kinds of things. Here's the best bang for the buck for improving another kind of performance:

- Rims and tires (do this first)
- rear sway bar (do this a close second)

I went with the mild upgrade of:
1999 Civic Si 15" alloy rims with sticky 195/55's (I shoulda got 205/50's, but I guess I get MPG).
1999 Civic Si 13mm rear sway bar

Or you can go more extreme with:
16" rotas or something with appropriate tire
ST or DC or whatever 19-22mm rear sway + subchassis reinforcement
If you get a thick 19-22mm rear sway, then you'll probably need to upgrade your front sway and suspension.
Stiffer shocks and struts.

Not much to do with a D16 besides swap... but suspension can make your car fun to drive around.

I heard that new cams can be pretty good for < $200. But I dunno what that does to stuff besides performance like carb or mpg.

I'd start out with the suspension. Atleast you will be enjoying your car in the turns.

IMO, basic bolt-ons will leave you disapointed for the amount of money spent.